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By Elvis Dumba
Harare- The Government of Zimbabwe say it’s ready to respond to climate change induced emergencies as the country moves into a rain season.
Government said it has noted that climate change induced emergencies are becoming complex and difficult to manage both in Zimbabwe and rest of SADC countries.
Government has approved an Emergency Preparedness Plan for 2021-2022 rainfall season.
Chairperson for The Cabinet Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management July Moyo who is also the Minister of Local Government and Public Works presented the plan which was adopted by Cabinet on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe and SADC faces climate change induced hazards such as floods, drought, of lightning, hailstorms, cyclones.
Government has also noted increased human-induced and geo-physical incidences such as landslides, veld fires environmental degradation among others.
During a post cabinet briefing, Minister of Information,Publicity and Broadcasting Services Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said government has approved the plan.
” Cabinet is pleased to report that the emergency preparedness plan has been put in place with a view of reducing potential losses due to disasters,” she said.
Civil Protection Unit will spearhead the implementation of the plan through various activities which includes among others, education and awareness to the dangers related to rainy season, raising alarm mechanism using indigenous knowledge systems and local resources, implementing recovery programs and provide adequate and appropriate equipment for use in emergencies.
“Government has set aside adequate financial resources to cover the set programs and communities have been directed to commence drills in anticipation of any eventuality,” Senator Mutsvangwa said
Zimbabwe experienced cyclone Idai which left thousands homeless whilst the authorities were not ready when the weather induced tragic struck.
As the country moves into the rainy season, floods and increased cases of lightning are highly expected.
Tinashe Mugwagwa an agricultural extension worker commended the government in coming up with the plan
“Usually in the past government will be jolted into action when tragedy would have struck and by coming with an emergency plan to deal with emergencies as we are anticipating heavy rains that may result in disasters such as floods and hailstorms they should be commended,” he said
Veld fires has since claimed at least over five lives in Mashonaland West Province over the September-November 2021 period whilst flash flooding has been experiencing in many places due to the siltation of rivers due to increased activities of river bank cultivation.